I have been reading as much as I can regarding early to mid 18th century militia equipment and trail foods. Militia on scouts they say could be out from 10 days to several months. Now obviously we can not be expected to carry 3 months worth of trail foods, but what about a week or ten days? Looking at the lists, at the amount of food stuffs; the powder and lead ratio, and all the other equipment required, this seems to add up to a lot of weight. Now perhaps this is just the way it was, maybe they simply had to put up with this weight in order to carry out their scouting mission successfuly.
I, and I am sure many others would be interested to hear from some experienced trekkers, as to what they carry, and what their equipment all-up weighs? Looking forward to some replies and answers, Regards, Le Loup.

Le Loup--
I had access to a digital scale and satisfied my curiousity as to how much weight I was carrying around. I didnt count first layer of clothes which is breech clout, deerskin leggings, moccasins, flop hat and linen shirt. Here's what I came up with:
Whitney blanket 4-pt 6.30lbs.
5x7 oilcloth 4.60
Haversack (Full, with food for a week) 7.96
.50 cal flintlock rifle 8.50
Bullet bag and powder horn 5.25
Small axe in sheath 1.74
Full canteen (1 qt.) 4.12
Frock, wool waistcoat & wool shirt 6.34
TOTAL 43.53 lbs.
In extreme winter weather, zero or below, I add mittens, winter moccasins with blanket liners, heavy wool socks and half blanket which adds another 4.14 lbs. for a total of 47.67 lbs which is heavier than it feels. I have carried this gear for all day and forget the weight after awhile. Note that weapons account for 15 1/2 pounds!

Denny, thanks for the feedback, this is just the sort of thing we need. I have no doubt that you have a few items not mentioned in your list that we all tend to take for granted. Your calculation of weight is not far off mine, & supports my findings so far, that maybe this is the true weight, & people just have to put up with carrying it if they wish to remain self-reliant.
Thanks again Denny, much appreciated. This may even promote further articles for ON THE TRAIL MAGAZINE! Regards, Keith.

Keith, I originally did this exercise in weighing my gear at the request of trekking partners at a beaver trapping camp who wanted to know how my pack was considerably smaller than theirs. You are astute in noticing some items we all commonly carry not being mentioned, but they are included in the final weight, I just need to get more detailed. From my original letter to them: "... I count the first layer of clothes, hat and belt knife as included in my personal weight at 180 lbs ... the haversack is a large leather one and I sling it as close to the center of my back as possible. The bed roll is on its own strap and I fold it rather than roll it. It is carried between my back and the haversack. In the haversack is flint and steel, tinder, sewing kit, tin of moccasin grease, toilet kit (comb soap and toothbrush), linen rags, 20 feet of rope, journal, extra wool socks, small tin pot, salt container & spoon and bags of pemmican mix, oatmeal, rice and walnuts with raisins..." This gear does not change whether afoot, afloat or ahorse, though the haversack is then replaced by saddlebags. The oil cloth is both my raingear and shelter. On horseback everything must come in at under 25% of the weight of the animal as a rule of thumb which for my 1100 lb horse means under 275 lbs.
Saddle and 30 X 60 saddle blanket 22.56 lbs
Tack(bridle halter and lead rope, hobbles and 40 foot picket rope) 9.90 lbs
other gear and weapons 43.53 lbs
Myself 180 lbs
TOTAL 260.09 lbs Whew, I made it! I can now add a few lbs of extra food or better yet, more powder and lead. Happy trails.
Denny

My rifle shot pouch which I weighed for this discussion contains an entire spare lock, since I replaced the cheap Dixie lock my rifle came with an L &R replacement lock and I kept the original for a back up. I carry a mainspring vise and spare mainspring when carrying the Brown Bess. Denny

[quote="dannyb55"]Never forget that in the past they had pack animals, Even in the East.[/quote]

True, but to use one well known charracter as an example, Daniel Boone mostly seems to have travelled on foot then later sends back for pack animals to come and collect the peltry.
I think the reason for this is that the horses leave too much sign and noise and are easily spotted.
The mail may have been delivered by a post rider, but runners on foot were still used. I think it depends on the area and circumstances.
Regardless, I am a woodsman on foot and that is the charracter and scenario I seek information for.
Le Loup.